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COLUMBIA, THE LAND OF THE FREE 




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COLUMBIA, THE LAND OF 
THE FREE 



BY 



ANNA SINGLETON MACDONALD 



New York and Washington 

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1907 



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IIBR^RY of congress] 

Two Cooles KecelvM | 

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.CooynrM Entry 
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CUSS A xxc, lio. 

COPY B. 



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Copyright, 1907, bv 
The Neale Publishing Company. 



DEDICATED 

TO 

HON. HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER, 

President of the Jamestown Exposition 



"Ceci ne saurait rien ajouter a I'eclat de votre nom qui 
ettera son magique reflet sur ce livre." 



COLUMBIA, THE LAND OF THE FREE 



PRELUDE 

Now as the world through chancing cycles speeds, 
And onward moves to its appointed end, 
Land reaches unto land, creeds blend in creeds; 
To meet, to fuse, to mingle all things tend : 
Thus meet the Nations of earth to-day, 
Thus mingling Arts seek universal sway. 

Four centuries the moons have waxed and waned. 
Four centuries the winds and waves have met. 
Four centuries has Progress wrought and reigned — 
While in their courses stars have risen and set 
Since first Columbus looked with eager eyes 
Toward the West, where golden visions rise. 

The prophet in his land no honor gains, 
The hero oft is scorned in his own age ; 
Pined Galileo in ignoble chains ; 
The deeds of martyrs fill the storied page — 
Yet soon or late repentant nations come 
To heap with laurel the neglected tomb. 



And hither came all nations of the earth 
With grateful homage to Columbus' name — - 
All honor to the land that gave him birth, 
All honor to the land that gave him fame; 
Columbia welcomed them with heart and hand, 
His praises vibrate on this distant strand. 

Now seek they Jamestown's famed historic shore. 
The sheltering cradle of this Western world ; 
The Eaglet's nest ere yet its wings could soar, 
The spot where liberty her flag unfurled. 
The consecrated ground — the woodland glade 
Where Pocahontas' maiden footsteps strayed. 



COLUMBIA 
THE LAND OF THE FREE 

In days of old for those who were oppressed 
A place was set apart — a sure retreat — 
Wherein all creatures, hunted and distressed, 
Might breathe a space and stay their flying feet; 
A Sanctuary whose inviolate shade 
The mightiest king should tremble to invade. 

And while the world was young, beneath the sk\' 
A place was set apart, a sure retreat 
To which the wronged of every race might fly. 
And where all creeds and countries safe might 

greet: 
A place of refuge therein was decreed 
For all the ages in their hour of need. 

Thus, while the nations in their race for power, 
Still struggling, crushed the weakest to the wall, 
Awaiting still the long-appointed hour — 
Afar, unknown, yet ready for the call — 
A Sanctuary fresh from God's own hand 
Stretched far and wide, primeval, vast and grand. 
II 



America, for her appointed time, 
In grand repose — as prescient to her fate — 
Waits proudly in her solitude sublime. 
Content, as great souls are, to calmly wait: 
America — that haven of the wronged — 
Beyond the Western flood still sat enthroned. 

The wave unceasing breaks upon her shore. 

The snows her solemn mountain-tops still crown, 

And with no ear to catch its mighty roar 

Niagara through ages thunders on. 

Till westward, sailing over unknown seas, 

Columbus seeks the new Hesperides. 

His soul he felt enkindled from on high — 
No less the prize he dreamed of than a world; 
And trembling not the trackless seas to try. 
His daring sails from Palos, swift unfurled, 
Like Jason, spreading from the shores of Greece, 
Adventurous sails to seek the Golden Fleece. 

The royal patron of this great emprise 

Was Spain's fair sovereign, daughter of Castile ; 

The future reading with prophetic eyes. 

His cause upholding with inspired zeal, — 

She spared not treasure for his noble need. 

And bade these second Argonauts Godspeed. 



Two worlils unite her virtues to proclaim — 

A woman with a soul to do and dare! 

Her memory linked forever with his name, — ■ 

Beyond the skies his glory still to share, — 

She set a jewel in her ancient crown, 

And stamped her name forever with renown! 

But what of him, the y:lory of his age? 
False Arragon Columbus loads with chains. 
He gave to history an emblazoned page — 
The splendor of heroic deeds remains; 
With proud humility his chains he wore, 
Memorial of the faith that princes bore. 

"The paths of glory lead but to the grave," 
Victorious banners oft in gloom are furled ; 
A monument inscribed, "To him who gave 
To Castile, and to Leon, a new World," 
Was sole reward for honors bravely won. 
He asked for bread — they gave to him a stone. 

The full fruition of his golden dream 

To him denied, his heritage unseen. 

He only caught afar the dazzling gleam — 

Forbidden to his feet to enter in ; 

So, Moses safely led his pilgrim band 

f-fimjelf — hut \-iewed far off the Promised Land. 

13 



When Norsemen vaguely told traditions wild 
Of some far land that long ago was known, 
'Twas but as though they had the time beguiled 
With legends of the mountains in the moon — 
E'en Seneca's prophetic thought was vain. 
And deemed the phantom of a poet's brain. 

Another world ! What splendors unrevealed 

Had lurked beyond the sunset's purple glow; 

The cloud uplifted now, no more concealed, 

The pathway free for all to come and go. 

A thousand follow where one led before. 

And prince and peasant seek the new-found shore. 

'Twas as the golden apple on the board — 

All nations to possess the land aspired ; 

The world ran riot, to its centre stirred, 

With dreams of conquest and ambition fired ; 

All Christendom the New World sought to sway. 

And deemed its fair domain an easy prey. 

Thus, in the reign of England's virgin queen 
All eyes were turned again toward the west, 
That land where Cabot and his men had been 
Long years before — yet unpossessed. 
Returning travelers wondrous legends told 
Of rivers flowing over sands of gold ! 

14 



Elizabeth, with ardent zeal inspired, 

Her reign to signalize by some grand deed — 

With visions of an El Dorado fired, 

An expedition from her shores decreed. 

That Alexander for new worlds had sighed, 

And sighed in vain, enkindled all her pride. 

So to these coasts her gallant captains came, 
To plant the British standard on the shore. 
And take possession in their sovereign's name 
Of all these broad domains forever more. 
They sprang with glowing hearts upon the sod. 
Then bowed the knee before Almighty God! 

And there on Jamestown's fair enchanting shore 
Did our forefathers' household altars raise; 
Above the ocean's loud, unceasing roar 
To heaven ascended first their hymns of praise. 
There, first upon Virginia's soil we trace 
The footprints of the Anglo-Saxon race. 

The Fields of Enna bloomed not yet more fair 
Than bloomed these regions on their ravished sight; 
A world untrodden, save where here and there 
The dusky forest-sons their campfires light — • 
This virgin land of stately forests green 
They name Virginia for their Virgin Queen. 

15 



Then back to England swift their vessels sped, 
To bear glad tidings to their waiting friends. 
A Land of Promise rich before them spread, 
The Queen her royal favor now extends; 
And wild with dreams of wealth, her people come 
To seek afar in this new world a home. 

(But ere their vessels left the fruitful shore 
A gift the New World to the Old World sent; 
The "Root of Plenty" joyfully they bore, 
The harbinger of comfort and content ; 
A welcome boon to all the sons of toil — 
Hibernian and Teuton blessed the soil! 

Yet o'er the seas another gift they bore, 

The "last and best" the gods reserved for man — 

Tobacco for his solace evermore. 

A soothing thrill through all his being ran; 

From pole to pole, as incense to the skies. 

In clouds of smoke its fragrant fumes arise.) 



In Holland, far remote, an exile band 
Those tidings heard, and joyfully they said, 
"Now will we seek this far-off favored land 
To toil, if need be, for our daily bread ; 
No more as pilgrims will we sadly roam — 
Here will we find a country and a home." 

i6 



First from their numbers came a chosen few, 
Who bravely took of friends a long embrace, 
And in the Mayfloii-er sailed with dauntless crew 
To seek for all a sure abidinji place; 
On Plymouth Rock was moored mid smiles and tears 
The bark thus frciijhted with their hopes and fears. 

When legends of these fateful days are told, 
Full many a heart yet throbs with honest pride 
To show some token far more prized than gold, 
That in the Mayfloicer crosseil the foaming tide — 
A wine glass here, a salt dish there descends, 
A sacred pledge the past the present lends. 

They brought no charter with them in their hands; 
They were not lured by hope of gems or gold ; 
No king or queen on them bestowed their lands — 
They only brought stout hearts and spirits bold 
To conquer homes within the wilderness, 
And win their way through labor to success. 

And thus through reigns of many kings and queens 

America with vigor grows apace — 

From ever\' phase of fortime something gleans, 

And plants upon her soil a sturdy race; 

From North and South and East they westward 

come. 
For freedom in the land had made her home. 

17 



Thirteen fair States to England tribute pay, 
^"et like the fiery courser of the plain 
That, snuffing danger, swiftly bounds away. 
They fly from all that Freedom would enchain; 
For Liberty all ties they would forswear — 
Their children breathe it in the very air! 

The Rose, the Thistle, and the Shamrock thrive, 

In Carolina blooms the Fleur-de-Lis ; 

Tho' every land its fairest flower should give. 

Yet fairest is the flower of Liberty — 

And native to the soil, it flourished here, 

A cherished thing, to every heart most dear. 

Thus, from Elizabeth to George the Third, 
Through storm and sunshine bravely struggling on, 
The people gave — though wrongs their hearts had 

stirred — 
Allegiance to their country, king, and crown ; 
But now the day had come — the day, the hour 
When they no more would brook a tyrant's power. 

The King, within his "rights divine" entrenched. 

Recked not of rights by mortal man desired. 

Nor cared that all the land with blood was 

drenched. 
So he might crush these souls with freedom fired. 

18 



As oaks from tiny acorns ever grow. 
Thus Freedom struck at Tyranny a blow ! 

Petition and remonstrance had been vain ; 
All overtures of peace their Sovereign spurned. 
Resolved at last their dearest rights to gain, 
Their hearts within their bosoms fiercely burned — 
Till thus with one acclaim the people spoke 
The Genius of their country to invoke! 

THE INVOCATIOX 

Before the God of Hosts 

Behold the hour has come ! 

Abroad in all our coasts 

Oppression bids "strike home." 
Though it costs us blood and treasure, 
Ages yet will bless the measure; 

No more the stroke delay, 

But over land and sea 

Let us with heart and voice 

Declare that we are free! 
That Declaration made, our flag unfurled 
Will vindicate the cause, and stand against the 
world. 

A hundred years, and men 

Its wisdom will attest, 

19 



And children's children then 

Rise up and call us blest. 

This act will be immortal, 

And on this day of days 
A nation's voice shall render 
Triumphant hymns of praise ; 
And as the sun in heaven, upon the stream, 
We see the brightness of the future gleam. 

This day still returning, 

Our children will bless — 

Their bonfires burning. 

Exultant express 
Theirpride in thedeeds that their fathers hax'edone — 
Their faith in the rights that their fathers have won. 

To live or to die. 

To survive or to perish. 

One sentiment still 

In our hearts will we cherish; 
In life or in death will we swerve from it never — 
We strike for it now — Independexce forever! 

From ^larathon to Saratoga's plain 
Was Liberty the watch-word of the brave, 
And in her name, through heaps of noble slain, 
Have heroes ever rushed to glory's grave — 
Till Patrick Henry, with impassioned breath. 
Cried, "Give me Liberty or give me Death!" 



Across a hundred years the utterance tlirills 

A keynote fjrand, for ages yet to come; 

Amid the shadows of Virginian hills 

Out flashed the eloquence of ancient Rome — 

For liberty, as with a sacred flame, 

Our hearts still glow at Patrick Henry's name! 

O Liberty, that since the world began 

Hast soared a chainless spirit of the sky, 

Inspiring with thy breath the soul of man 

To daring deeds of immortality! 

O spark unquenchable — tho' men were clods, 

Thy touch transforms and leaves them demigods! 

The slave enthralled, that of thee ne'er has heard, 

Has yet a nameless longing of his breast. 

And yearns for something, though he knows no word. 

By which his soul's deep want may be expressed. 

The savage, ere he has for thee a name. 

Feels yet within his breast thy sacred flame! 

For thou wert born with man, and like a star 

Hast ever lured him to thy airy height. 

To follow thee, and worship from afar, 

If but to catch through clouds thy silvery light. 

By some unerring impulse of his breast 

He seeks thee, as the eagle seeks her nest! 



Yet, long 'twas deemed that Liberty was dead; 
From land to land still hunted and betrayed, 
Afar from haunts of man her spirits fled 
Within the Sanctuary's deepest shade; 
There dwelt she by the ever-sounding sea, 
With winds and waves rejoicing to be free. 

Her inspiration breathed with every breath, 
Americans their freedom now declare — 
And "Give me Liberty or give me Death" 
Are magic words that tremble in the air; 
The die is cast, and whatsoe'er tliey lack, 
The hand upon the plow, they "look not back." 

Soon Independence was a household word ; 

The sword was drawn, the scabbard thrown away — 

Immortal words the universe had stirred. 

And filled each tyrant soul with dire dismay. 

That Declaration shook the listening world — 

All hearts inspired, and our flag unfurled ! 

The wonder still, of scholar and of sage. 

The people heard it with amaze sublime; 

Predestined to become a sacred page. 

Each thought was treason then, each «-ord a crime; 

The epitome of struggling ages past, 

Unuttered long, had found a voice at last. 



A voice that, reaching unto other lands, 
Shook thrones with this bold utterance of the \Vest. 
Across the wave were outstretched friendly hands, 
And from afar down-trodden nations blest. 
This \oice, swift borne upon the western wind, 
Proclaiming "equal rights" for all mankind. 

Impetuous as a torrent in its course, 

These truths sublime, with speed o'erspread the 

land. 
And like an avalanche, with gathering fiuve 
No hand could stay, no human power command, 
The Revolution swept its glorious way, 
And wrote in blood the record of that day. 

Then from Penobscot to the Chesapeake 
High flamed the beacon-fires on every hill. 
As flashing far, the lurid sky they stre:ik, 
And spread the fiat of the people's w ill ; 
Through Pine and through Palmetto war-notes 

sound. 
And reach the "Dark and Hlondy Hunting- 

Ground." 

Since Time its course from deep oblivion ran, 
In great events, from Heaven, deliverance came; 



And when the hour had come, then came the man, 
Appointed long, to fill the scroll of fame; 
So rose a leader fitted to command, 
Ordained of Heaven to lead this patriot band. 

From France, whose heart for freedom ever beats, 
Came La Fayette to make our cause his own. 
And Kosciusko hastening hither greets 
The liberty that from his land has flown ; 
And far-off nations watch, as with one mind. 
The cause that is the cause of all mankind. 

The story of those days 'twere vain to tell, 
'Tis written on a nation's throbbing heart — 
Leonidas, who kept the pass so well. 
And Bruce, who bore at Bannockburn his part. 
Won not more nobly their exalted fame. 
Than won our heroes their undying name. 

Through seven long years, that tried the souls of 

men. 
They faltered not from their allegiance sworn, 
And never yet on history's page was seen 
The record of such hardships bravely borne; 
Through storm and sleet they crossed the Delaware, 
And mid disasters dire disdained despair. 

24 



Through blood and devastation peace was found, 
With joyful hearts their battle-Bag was furled; 
Through blood and tears at last the day had 

dawned 
For free America — and for the world ; 
As in a stronghold Liberty installed, 
A goddess crowned, to every- nation called. 

With wildest joy the people now proclaim 
Their conquered liberty throughout the land ; 
Their Independence won, with freedom came 
From Heaven itself an inspiration grand 
To found for aye a people's government — 
lis prjicers deriTing fruiii their free consent. 



25 



THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE 

The nineteenth centur)', with eventful dawn, 
Marked in its course an era unsurpassed 
In grandeur of achievement, whose renown 
Far down the future rays of glory cast — 
The Louisiana Purchase paved the way 
For all the splendors of imperial sway. 

That marvelous treaty, with such import fraught, 

Unprecedented in all history stands; 

Napoleon's need — the hand of Fate there wrought. 

Far-reaching in its sweep to many lands. 

It marked an epoch in the century's tread — 

Imperishable luster o'er it shed. 

Spoke Livingston on that momentous day 

Emblazoned now upon historic page. 

That set the seal forever and for aye 

Upon the crowning glory of the age : 

"Long have we lived — long wrought ; this day in 

flame, 
We write our names high on the scroll of fame." 

26 



Their names now mingle on our lips with praise, 
Sublime to us the paths by which they trod ; 
Great brains whose intuitions wrought in ways 
That but existed in the plans of God ! 
To Jefferson, Monroe, — grand patriots true, — 
A Nation's praise, a Nation's debt is due. 

The Mississippi rolling toward the sea. 
Its mighty waters through a vast domain 
More fertile than the Nile, by Fate's decree 
Was to be ours. Through all its plain — 
From source to sea — free, without lets or bars, 
'Twas so orilained, and written in the stars. 

\Vhen Jefferson with far prophetic sight 
Saw cities on its fertile banks arise, 
'Twas a mirage — a dream — that pales its light 
Before the progress that no\\- meets the eyes; 
A mighty empire reaches into space, 
A potent factor in the world's great race. 
***** 

And with the march of Progress unrcpressed. 
In this grand age gigantic schemes unfold, 
There midway 'twixt the East and bountlless West 
A dream of beauty did the world behold — ■ 
Where sweeps the Mississippi to the sea 
A mighty city sits in majesty! 

27 



Her lofty domes are lifted to the skies, 

Her dream of power exultantly expands, 

The grandeur of the future in her lies — 

The East and West she grasps with iron hands; 

With energetic life she thrills and stirs — 

The "cattle on a thousand hills are hers." 

And hither came all nations at her call 
This glorious era to commemorate, 
While palaces of art and stately hall 
Arose like magic dreams within her gate. 
The "Louisiana Purchase" marked the hour 
Our Nation proudly stepped to rank and power! 



28 



THE AGE OF PROSPERITY 

America now opens wide her doors 

And waves a welcome from her hill-tops tall; 

Her fruitful fields pour forth their boundless stores, 

Abundance gushes from the eartii for all ; 

The universe is stirred; and rich and poor 

Now strive alike to gain that blessed shore. 

The woodman's axe is heard upon the hill 
(The forest falls where man his scepter wields) ; 
The loom, the anvil stand beside the mill, 
And to the plow the earth her increase yields; 
From rice fields basking in the Southern sun — 
From Northern harvests golden spoils arc won. 

The prisoned Genius of the mountain stream — 

Constrained, man's utmost bidding to fulfil ; 

Transformed, becomes an agency supreme, 

A potent slave, obedient to his will. 

The necromancer's wildly thrilling dream 

Grows tame before that mighty magic — steam. 

29 



From out the earth fair cities seem to rise, 
And hamlets dot the softly changing scene; 
The distant spire that points us to the skies 
Proclaims the church half-hidden mid the green, 
And man goes forth, as at his primal birth, 
Divine commissioned to "Subdue the earth." 

And in her himdredth year, with joy elate. 
This youngest nation sets forth her decree — 
A grand Centennial year to celebrate, 
And view the first-fruits of her centur\'; 
Her light, beneath a bushel not to hide, 
Abroad she sends a greeting far and wide. 

Those hills whereon our beacon-fires once blazed, 
Behold the progress of our hundred years; 
Where cities stand, the timid deer then grazed. 
On everA' hand the work of man appears — 
The silence of the swiftly flowing stream 
Now broken by the busy sound of steam. 

The "Dark and Bloody Hunting-Ground" of yore. 
Beside whose glades the fair Ohio flows, 
Forgetful of the gloomy name she bore — 
A smiling land — now blossoms as the rose; 
For "men and horses" famed the wide world o'er. 
The blue-grass waves where once were fields of 
gore. 

30 



Beyond the trackless forests' solitude, 

Where Marquette planted first the Christian cross, 

Our beaten tracks usurp their pathways rude, 

Who for our gain accounted not their loss; 

Where rolls the Mississippi's rapid wave 

De Soto found his glory — and his grave. 

Proud Massachusetts 'mid her hills still shows 
A record rich in many an honored name ; 
There Warren fell, a glorious Webster rose. 
And, star-like, filled a nation with his fame; 
There Bunker Hill uplifts its lofty crest 
Above the spot where lieroes sank to rest. 

Virginia, grand old State, majestic stands, 
The sword of chivalry her proudest trust: 
She needs no panegyric at our hands — 
Her voices murmur from her sacred dust; 
The home of Washington — of Randolph — Lee, 
Need ask no more of Immortalitv. 



31 



THE CENTENNIAL. 

There, where the Schuylkill's tranquil waters flow ; 

There, where to herald Liberty's bright day 

The bells rang out a hundred years ago. 

They gather now in glorious array; 

Each State displays the products of her soil, 

Within her hand the first-fruits of her toil. 

The Jew, the Gentile, Greek and Slav and Turk — 
The citizen of every land and clime. 
In friendly mingling, there displays his work, 
And marks the mighty progress of the time ; 
There, from his gorgeous land, Dom Pedro came — 
Republican in heart, though king in name. 

And noble still, as mother. Empress, Queen, 
Victoria, her royal greeting sends. 
What though the broad Atlantic rolls between. 
Yet English blood with ours closely blends; 
The "mother-country" still, by race allied, 
We fuse in hers — hereditary' pride. 

32 



For England's ancient fjlories still art- ours, 
A common ancestry asserts its claims; 
With awe we view her fanes, and lofty towers. 
And sacred to us are her sacred names ; 
Our cultured thouizht the self-same channel seeks — 
That language through which Shakespeare's genius 
speaks. 

That day our "Fathers" dreamed had hrightly 

dawned ; 
With grand triumphal march, with verse and song 
Was ushered in the morn; success had crowned 
Beyond their utmost thought ; remembered long, 
We bless them for those rights their valor won — 
And laurels twine afresh for Washington. 

Ambition, soaring, heroes makes of clods; 

Men strive for power — to win and wear a crown. 

Renunciation links us to the gods — 

He grandly for his country laid one down; 

A star among the stars, he stands alone — 

Columbia's pride and glory, Washington ! 

^Vhat grand example in his life he gave; 
Ambition's lure he trod beneath his feet. 
And dying left — proud heritage — a grave, 
A shrine, a Mecca, where all nations meet 



Beside that river, beautiful and grand, 
Whose waters wash the shores of Maryland — 

That land of beauty and of valiant men, 
Whose sons have ne'er betrayed her lofty trust; 
Where sweeps the blue Potomac from our ken, 
Her Carrolls and her Howards sleep in dust; 
Here, turning from the past, with searching glance, 
We find in all, save men, untold advance. 



iA 



PROGRESS 

Colossal bndties spanning stream and creek, 
From ocean imto ocean highways spread ; 
Before the engines' fierce advancing shriek 
The startled buffalo have v\ildly fled; 
By foaming canyons, speeding as from fate, 
We pass to California's Golden Gate. 

A far-famed Ophir by the Western seas, 
Here Nature wrought while in her loftiest mood; 
Her impress resting on those wondrous trees 
Whose heads uplifted through all time have stood — 
In whose vast boles perchance the life-sap sprang 
When first the morning stars together sang! 

1 he Colchis sought so long, behold ! is found. 

The Golden Fleece was but a poet's thought ; 

That wondrous expedition, so renowned, 

To veil in mystery their fables sought. 

The Colchian torrents bright with treasure rolled — 

The dream of distant ages still was gold. 

35 



The utmost limit of our land is found, 
Yet, restless still, the spirit of this sphere 
Will ever onward press in ceaseless round 
The worlds of art and science to explore; 
The circling years revealing as they fly, 
New secrets of the earth, the sea, the sky. 

To seek a pathway to the stars is ours, 

To rend from mystery every hidden thing; 

For God declares no limit to man's powers — • 

His grandest works to Him an offering. 

Untiring still, His favor to obtain. 

What heights of grandeur mav this Nation gain. 

The one dark spot from our escutcheon washed. 
Sans peur cl sans rcproche we proudly stand — 
rhough fiercely, once, their swords in battle clashed. 
The Pine and the Palmetto hand to hand ; 
For now, afar or near, o'er land or sea, 
Our starry flag waves only o'er the free. 

Though North and South, like 'Trank and fiery 

Hun," 
Contended on Manassas' blood-red plain. 
Through fiercest heat of battles lost and won — 
Mid cannons roar — through deadly bullets rain — 
The blending of the "Blue and Grey" is done, 
The North and South are welded into one. 

3« 



While at the hehn stuial Liiicohi i^reat and ^ood, 
With "Chanty toward all, and hate U> none." 
God's instrument, — for weal or woe he stood, — 
Himself the sacrifice when all was done; 
The people's son — his memory they revere, 
And drop upon his tomb the sacred tear. 

'Twas through the gloom of ages to their goal 
All other nations crept by slow degrees; 
Like young Apollo, — spuming all control, — 
And swift the wisdom of the past to seize, 
She sprang full panoplied where nations strove, 
As sprang Minerva from the brain of Jove. 

Here, Franklin lured the lightning from the skies; 
Here, Morse has placed a girdle round the earth. 
Full fathoms deep beneath the ocean lies. 
Memorial of Field's unrivalled worth; 
He flashed a p;ean grand, from shore to shore — 
'Twas "Peace on earth; good will for evermore!" 

'Twas from these shores that Schleiman, soul- 
inspired. 
His wandering steps to ancient Iliiim led; 
In prehistoric splendor still attired, 
The classic earth to him gave up her dead. 
And Art and Science, buried in their bloom, 
Proclaim new truths from Agamemnon's tomb. 

37 



And if no Helicon upon whose height 

The muses gather yet uplifts its head, 

Yet from the heart of Nature to the light 

Her poets, through fresh paths, with rapture tread. 

From Dana, Bryant, poet-pioneers. 

Till Taylor crowned with verse her hundred years. 

Through centuries the stamp of classic lore 

To unknown heights may untried pathways lead ; 

The virgin soil will yield the virgin ore. 

The distant ages will our poets read. 

Yet, worthy he of any age or shrine 

Who gave that pearl of pearls, Evangeline. 



38 



PEACE AND PROSPERITY 

Prosperity ami Peace triumpliant reign ; 
The Nation with gigantic strides expands ; 
New powers are hers — that never more can wane 
As in the world's arena proud she stands; 
Her voice for Freedom heard upon the lieight, 
Her arm uplifted to uphold the ri^lit. 

Thus, when Hawaii, rent by inward foes, 
Her frail bark tossed by every passing wave, 
And shaken by each tickle wind that blows, 
Implored for aid her island home to save, 
Columbia heard, and with protecting arm. 
Within the haven guides, secure from harm. 

When Cuba called — while all the world stood by — 
A hundred thousand men obey the call ; 
From frozen North, from "Land of sea and sky," 
One heart — one flag — one country now for all ; 
The Blue, the Grey, commingling on the plain, 
United, burning to avenge the Miiine! 

39 



Brief, brilliant as a meteor in its flight 

The conflict raged. Beneath the Cuban sky 

Americans for Freedom bravely fight, 

While "Cuba Libra" is the battle cry; 

Victorious by land, as on the sea, 

They met and vanquished Spain's proud chivalry. 

From Morro's walls Cervera's stately fleet. 
With daring courage, braving shot and shell. 
Rushed forth, in battle's clash the foe to meet. 
And sprang to death as bravely there they fell. 
All powder-stained and steeped in human gore, 
The gallant vessels sank 'mid cannons' roar. 

While in Manila Bay — across the world — 
Montojo, with the pride and flower of Spain 
Secure in strength, his haughty challenge hurled 
To Dewey, whose reply rang back again. 
At dawn of day the combat was begun, 
Ere noon' renown and victory were won. 

Between two oceans lies this favored land ; 
No nation in itself had e'er such powers; 
Two zones uniting, boundless scopes command — 
All climes, all products, all resources ours; 
The Eastern coast sees Europe's fleets appear. 
The Western slope beholds the Orient near! 

40 



That tjorgeous East! to ^ain wlui^e golden strand 

All nations sought, and science still explores, 

To us is opened out a pathway grand 

To this vast "treasure-house" of Nature's stores; 

Through Panama, behold the golden \\a\' 

That leads to India and to t.-tr Catha\ ! 

The Henjaniui of Nations, — youngest born, — 
Within the sack's mouth has the cup been found : 
The grain of mustard seed that chance uas sown. 
Now tieeply rooted in the fruitful ground, 
A great tree has become, beneath whose shade 
The nations of the earth their homes ha\e made. 

All P'urope pours her millions on our strand, 
^ et, stretching westward, still is room f(jr all; 
The German sings his songs of "fatherland," 
And Krin weeps no more for Tara's fall. 
The "Course of Empire westward takes its way" — 
America awaits a glorious day! 

Her vessels plow the waves of every sea. 

From where the glittering iceberg marks the scene, 

To India's land of flowering shrub and tree; 

In every port where sail of man hath been. 

The proud American with rapture sees 

His countr\'s flag fair floating to the brec/c! 



And in his pride ot country may we trace 
That love that Spartans once to Sparta bore ; 
For him her future reaches into space — 
Her eagle to the clouds may proudly soar; 
No height so grand that he may not aspire, 
And from its summit shout his watchword, 
"Higher!" 



42 



SEP SI 1907 



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BRfiB CON E 



40 C6 



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